• Presentations are restricted and limited to 3 minutes and competitors exceeding 3 minutes will automatically be disqualified.
• The timing will start when the presentations are commenced through speech (when the competitor starts speaking) and not from the start of the video including the 3MT title slide.
• Presentation videos must meet the following criteria (can refer to virtual competitor guide):
• Contain a 3MT PowerPoint slide (top right corner/right side/cut to)
  • Filmed on the horizontal;
  • Filmed on a plain background;
  • Filmed from a static position;
  • Filmed from one camera angle;
  • Contain a 3MT title slide;A single static slide (no slide transformations, animations or ‘movement’ of any description) is allowed in the presentation. Make sure it can always be seen.

• The 3-minute audio must be continuous – no sound edits or breaks.
• No additional props such as costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment and animated backgrounds are permitted within the recording.
• Presentations need to be in the spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
• Additional electronic media such as sound and video files are prohibited within the video recording.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final and no amendments can be made.
• Submissions need to be in the video format by submitting the entries using only the YouTube video link. Files sent in other formats will not be accepted.

Please note: Having an exceptional quality of the video recording is a bonus to attract the adjudicators. However, competitors will not be necessarily judged solely on the quality of the video/recording quality or editing capabilities (optional inclusions). Judging will be focused more on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience and 3MT PowerPoint slide.

Device Options

Recording your presentation can be done using a camera and/or hand-held video recorder. However, most phones allow you to record through the camera function and most computers have recording ability (via camera or webcam) using inbuilt programmes such as:

1. Windows

• Camera App
• Windows Movie Maker

2. Macintosh

• QuickTime
• iMovie

3. Online Apps

Online programs which you might like to consider include:

• Zoom – see how to record yourself via Zoom

Video Examples

Examples of virtual 3MT video recordings are as follows:

• Video Example 1
• Video Example 2
• Video Example 3
• Video Example 4

Filming at Home

 There are three factors to consider when selecting your location to ensure you are producing the best video possible:

 Light

Dark environments impact the overall quality of your video because cameras do not perform well in dim lighting. Ensuring you are well-lit guarantees the camera and therefore, your audience, can see you. Look for a room in your home that has lots of natural light. If you are using light from a window, ensure you are facing towards the window so the light falls on you directly.Any additional lighting you can introduce will further improve the quality of your video. Look around your home for desk lamps, torches etc. Watch this tutorial for more information.

 Sound

When filming a video at home, ensure you choose a very quiet environment where you have as much control over the sound as possible. For example, choose a small room where you can close all doors and windows. Make sure any noisy electronics in the room such as fans, air conditioners, computers, phones and possibly even your fridge are temporarily turned off. These are much louder in the video than you may think and are very distracting to your audience!Be aware of any audible interruptions you don’t have control over such as aeroplanes, lawns mowers and cars. Consider filming during a quiet time of day such as early in the morning when there are likely to be fewer interruptions. If there are audio interruptions during your recording, do not continue. Wait it out and try again at a later point!

Background

Aim for a clean, plain wall as your background, completely free of visual distractions from the waist up to where you will be framing your shot.

Setup

 Whether you’re filming on a phone, tablet or webcam, there are further factors to consider when setting up to film your video: 

Support

• Ensure phones and tablets have enough storage available, are in aeroplane mode, fully charged and either connected to a tripod or, placed on a stable surface (think creatively – Blu Tack to the wall). Your friend cannot offer to be a tripod by holding your phone or iPad for you: Your video needs to be completely stable as movement is very distracting.

Camera Orientation

• Ensure phones and tablets are turned onto their side so the video is filmed horizontally not vertically. This is to ensure the finished video is in the correct shape and size when uploaded to YouTube.

Eyeline

• To ensure your eye line is correct, the tripod or surface where your recording device is placed should be high enough so that the camera lens is in line with your eye level. Try to avoid the camera lens having to either point up or down towards you.

Framing

• Set up your shot so you are to the left of the centre of the frame without being cut off at the top and so you can be seen from the waist up. The right side of the video frame should be just the blank wall background, as this is where your slide will be edited in.

 Focus

• Before you start recording, ensure your device can autofocus on you and isn’t focusing on anything else around you instead. Be sure to watch your recording back and ensure you remain in the focus for the entire duration.

Proximity

• Ensure your recording device isn’t too far away from you. The microphone on the device should be as close to you as possible to achieve both the desired framing and to ensure the audio is as clear as possible.

Test Recording

• Complete a short recording of a portion of your talk. Ensure you are speaking at the volume you intend to use for your presentation. Review the test recording to ensure all of the above elements are complete and working.

Presentation Tip

• Be aware of your eye movement. Maintain eye contact with the camera lens as though they were a person in the audience watching you present live.